Land promotion

Our team works hard to find new ways to bring major residential and commercial schemes forward through planning, providing vital new homes and jobs. Come help us create the thriving places of tomorrow.

Career opportunities in land promotion

The best place to develop your career

Join our family…

We’re one of the largest and most experienced land promotion businesses in the sector. You’ll be joining a brilliant team, in a successful company with a proven track record in acquiring land and delivering valuable planning consents.  We’ve been running for over 125 years and have the values of the Wates family behind us. It’s a big factor in why we have the best reputation in the business.

We offer lots of opportunities across different roles in a wide range of areas, such as land specialists, who find sites for the business. Other roles include land and planning managers who secure allocations and planning consent once the site is secured. There are also commercial land managers who acquire sites for the logistics sector, technical managers, and accountants.  

We have strong development paths for those joining as a graduate and want to support people who are keen to progress. If you’re interested in a particular area, we’ll give you all the help you need to become a specialist. Whatever your ambitions, there are lots of different ways to achieve them. Join us, and we’ll make sure you and your career thrive.

Our people thrive

About you…

Whether you have sector experience, fancy a career change, or are returning to work after a break, we’d love to hear from you.

In Land, ideally, we’d like you to have a relevant degree in property, planning, business or geography. Above all, you should have a keen interest in land, planning, and development.

In terms of experience, you might have worked with a property agency, as a consultant, housebuilder, or property developer. The most important thing is you need to be very personable, as it’s all about relationships and contacts. Someone who is externally presentable and can embody what Wates is all about.

Testimonials

Hear from our people

Holly Rush

Development Management Trainee

"I joined Wates with no prior industry experience, and it has been an incredible journey. Through the graduate scheme I worked in the Project team supporting the promotion of land through planning. I am also an active member of the Wates Women and Allies Steering Committee which I’ve gained invaluable insights from. Wates' dedication to excellence and innovative solutions have accelerated my learning curve while allowing me to expand my professional network. Their supportive culture and emphasis on development have made each challenge manageable and rewarding. I wholeheartedly recommend Wates for anyone seeking a dynamic career path with growth and opportunity.”

Careers in land

Want to be a part of our team?

Career opportunities in land promotion

Head of Indirect Procurement

Location: London, Nationwide

Job Type: Procurement

Application Deadline: 17-12-2025

Head of Indirect ProcurementLocation: National (hybrid), with travel to London offices and project sites. The opportunityAs Head of Indirect Procurement, you’ll set and lead the Group-wide approach for indirect goods and services—spanning Category Management, Supplier Relationship Management and Supplier Performance Management. You’ll lead our Procurement Shared Service, including the central Procurement Hub (Buying, Labour and Fleet), driving efficiency, consistency and value across the business. Your impact will be seen in improved supply chain performance, risk management and year‑on‑year savings that support our strategic goals.What you’ll do Set the strategy. Document Group and divisional needs and build a multi‑year plan that creates value, improves performance and expands Procurement’s effective scope. Actively scan the market for innovations, disruptions and constraints and fold those insights into your roadmap. Lead category excellence. Guide the team to develop category strategies grounded in business needs, market dynamics and current performance, and lead negotiations for your assigned categories. Strengthen supplier partnerships. Manage key indirect suppliers, leverage Group buying power, and use SME insight to deliver better outcomes. Raise performance & manage risk. Agree clear performance standards with internal customers, implement due diligence and ongoing monitoring, and maintain a live risk & opportunity register. Demonstrate continuous improvement in supply chain performance and spend under management. Lead and empower the team. Coach, support and challenge your team through regular reviews. Provide concise monthly reporting on category performance and strategy delivery, continuously improving the efficiency and utility of the Procurement Hub. Develop succession plans for critical roles.About youYou’re a collaborative leader who balances strategic thinking with hands‑on delivery. You can challenge the status quo constructively, win hearts and minds, and turn complex data into clear actions.You’ll bring: HND/degree in Procurement, Supply Chain Management or Construction Management (or equivalent experience) and MCIPS. A proven track record leading indirect procurement, including complex, high‑value negotiations. Experience coaching and developing professional teams. Strong analytical skills and objective, clear communication. A history of adopting new technologies to improve performance.What we offer: Competitive salary & bonus Flexible working Car Allowance / Company Car (subject to Role/Grade) Travel covered to any of our sites (subject to HMRC advisory rates) Extensive corporate benefits including, Private Medical, Pension 8% employers’ contribution, Health and Wellness programme, 26 days holidays + bank holidays and much more… Excellent range of learning and development activity to support your career progression. Industry leading family leave benefits to included 26 weeks fully paid maternity, 8 weeks fully paid paternity. Given the nature of this position, you will need to undergo a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) at offer stage. Applicants with criminal convictions will be assessed individually, and we assure you that we do not discriminate based on an applicant's criminal record or the details of any disclosed offenses. Additionally, certain roles may be subject to additional pre-employment checks.

Head of Supply Chain Systems

Location: London, Nationwide

Job Type: Procurement

Application Deadline: 17-12-2025

Head of Supply Chain SystemsLocation: National (hybrid), with travel to our London offices and project sites The opportunityAs Head of Supply Chain Systems, you’ll shape the future of how Wates manages procurement data, compliance and supplier performance. You’ll lead the development of our supply chain systems strategy, integrate performance management processes across the Group, and horizon-scan for innovations that improve productivity and unlock value. This is a national role with real impact—industrialising category management and spend aggregation across Wates Group companies.What you’ll do Set the systems strategy. Develop and deliver a roadmap for supply chain systems, monitoring market trends and incorporating innovations into our plans.Lead category excellence. Own the Design Consulting category, creating strategies aligned with business needs and SQDCPS measures (Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, People, Sustainability).Drive supplier partnerships. Negotiate framework agreements, leverage Group buying power, and embed lessons learned into standards and specifications.Embed performance management. Oversee supplier onboarding and desktop capability assessments, lead Causeway implementation, and maintain compliance and integrity of systems.Lead and empower teams. Manage the Procurement Data, Reporting and Compliance teams, develop the Supply Chain portal, and deliver measurable improvements in efficiency and utility.About youYou’re a collaborative leader who combines strategic vision with hands-on delivery. You challenge the status quo constructively, win hearts and minds, and turn complex data into clear actions.You’ll bring: HND/degree in Procurement, Supply Chain Management or Construction Management (or equivalent experience) and MCIPS. A proven track record in procurement systems and category management. Experience leading complex negotiations and coaching professional teams. Strong analytical skills and objective, clear communication. A history of adopting new technologies to improve performance.What we offer: Competitive salary & bonus Flexible working Car Allowance / Company Car (subject to Role/Grade) Travel covered to any of our sites (subject to HMRC advisory rates) Extensive corporate benefits including, Private Medical, Pension 8% employers’ contribution, Health and Wellness programme, 26 days holidays + bank holidays and much more… Excellent range of learning and development activity to support your career progression. Industry leading family leave benefits to included 26 weeks fully paid maternity, 8 weeks fully paid paternity. Given the nature of this position, you will need to undergo a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) at offer stage. Applicants with criminal convictions will be assessed individually, and we assure you that we do not discriminate based on an applicant's criminal record or the details of any disclosed offenses. Additionally, certain roles may be subject to additional pre-employment checks.To learn more about the checks included in this process, please click on the following link: National Security Vetting

Senior Project Engineer (Mechanical)

Location: East Midlands, West Midlands

Job Type: Operational

Application Deadline: 31-12-2025

SES Engineering Services are looking for a Mechanical Senior Project Engineer to join our Midlands team to support on technically complex Mechanical and Electrical projects across the Midlands region.If you are an established Leader looking for an opportunity to challenge the norm, bring fresh new ideas and elevate yourself within the industry then join us and help to create tomorrow together. This is a great opportunity to progress your career as part of a talented, diverse, and supportive team.ABOUT THE ROLEOur Senior Project Engineers are a valuable part of our business, the focus of this role will be to provide visible leadership, insight, direction and foresight in the safe and profitable delivery of schemes, while also providing excellent customer satisfaction and successfully developing a team.As our Senior Project Engineer you will: Lead the electrical services engineering elements from pre-construction to project completion. This will include design and procurement Lead the full MEP works on site in terms of safety, quality, programme and budget. This will involve liaising with internal and external stakeholders to the project. Lead the overall MEP team, providing mentorship and leadership throughout, ensuring correct integration with the wider construction team.WHAT WE OFFER Competitive salary & profit share scheme Flexible working Car Allowance / Company Car (subject to Role/Grade) Travel covered to any of our sites (subject to HMRC advisory rates) Extensive corporate benefits including, Private Medical, Pension 6% employers’ contribution, Health and Wellness programme, 26 days holidays + bank holidays and much more… Excellent range of learning and development activity to support your career progression. Industry leading family leave benefits to included 26 weeks fully paid maternity, 12 weeks fully paid paternity. To find out more about LIFE AT SES Engineering Services please click on the following link https://www.ses-ltd.co.uk/careers/working-at-ses/SES are committed to the fair treatment of people with criminal records, including employees and potential employees. We ensure that our recruitment, promotion, and retention activity does not treat people less favourably because of an offending background.Basic Check:Given the nature of this position, you will need to undergo a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) at offer stage. Applicants with criminal convictions will be assessed individually, and we assure you that we do not discriminate based on an applicant's criminal record or the details of any disclosed offenses. Additionally, certain roles may be subject to additional pre-employment checks.To learn more about the checks included in this process, please click on the following link: National Security VettingWe are always looking for a variety of new talent to join our teams, to help us grow and innovate as a business. Although you may not have all of the skills listed, many of them may be transferable to other roles within the WATES Group.If you would like clarity on any of our vacancies, discuss career opportunities in strict confidence or need anything to make our recruitment process easier, please contact our In-House Recruitment Team directly or via recruitment@wates.co.uk and one of us will get in touch as soon as possible.

Social Value Advisor

Location: Market Harborough

Job Type: SHEQ

Application Deadline: 31-12-2025

Wates are looking for a Social Value Advisor to join our team focussing on a high profile, technically complex project engaging with Furthest From Workforce audiences. If you are passionate about social value with proven technical skills looking for an opportunity to challenge the norm, bring fresh new ideas and elevate yourself within the industry then join us and help to create tomorrow together. This is a great opportunity to progress your career as part of a talented, diverse, and supportive team. ABOUT THE ROLE Our Social Value Advisors are a valuable part of our business and has a focus on day-to-day engagement with community organisations and delivery against project targets. Working closely with the Social Value Manager the Social Value Advisor will support in the delivery of Social Value activity for each allocated site/contract within a region.  As our Social Value Advisor you will: Be responsible for coordinating and delivering Social Value activities in line with project KPIs, including managing discreet projects (e.g. careers fairs, work experience). Be responsible for sourcing and training Social Value / Social Enterprise / Work Experience / Safeguarding / D&I / Wellbeing / Charity champions and initiatives at project level Be responsible for data collection, including providing support to site based Social Value Champions, at the beginning and end of Social Value activities. Ensure that all data is recorded and GDPR compliant and support with KPI monitoring. Collate and develop content for social media and website, creating case studies to support the regional Comms plan. Work with the Social Value Manager and collaborate with the Comms team to produce content for internal and external publication. Be responsible for identifying community groups and associations. Work closely with these groups and lead engagement initiatives, empowering community groups to support with co-design. Ensure that stakeholder opinions are taken into consideration to drive or shape key decisions on community projects Communicate the value of engaging in Social Value related initiatives at project level to influence colleagues to participate. Communicate with external delivery partners to maintain and develop the Social Value programmes within the locations of allocated sites/contracts. Communicate with Group Social Value lead and Social Value colleagues across the Group to share and implement best practice in Social Value and to identify opportunities for collaboration when working in similar geographic areas. WHAT WE OFFER Competitive salary & profit share scheme Flexible working Car Allowance / Company Car (subject to Role/Grade) Travel covered to any of our sites (subject to HMRC advisory rates) Extensive corporate benefits including, Private Medical, Pension 8% employers’ contribution, Health and Wellness programme, 26 days holidays + bank holidays and much more… Excellent range of learning and development activity to support your career progression. Industry leading family leave benefits to included 26 weeks fully paid maternity, 12 weeks fully paid paternity. To find out more about LIFE AT WATES please click on the following link https://www.wates.co.uk/careers/ We are always looking for a variety of new talent to join our teams, to help us grow and innovate as a business. Although you may not have all of the skills listed, many of them may be transferable to other roles within the WATES Group. If you would like clarity on any of our vacancies or to discuss career opportunities in strict confidence, please contact our In-House Recruitment Team directly via recruitment@wates.co.uk and one of us will get in touch as soon as possible. As a responsible and inclusive employer, we are committed to equality and are proud to have been recognised for this through a range of accolades including gold accreditation with Investors in People, we are also a Disability Confident employer. Being a family owned, business means we understand and value long term relationships. Given the nature of this position, you will need to undergo a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) at offer stage. Applicants with criminal convictions will be assessed individually, and we assure you that we do not discriminate based on an applicant's criminal record or the details of any disclosed offenses. Additionally, certain roles may be subject to additional pre-employment checks. To learn more about the checks included in this process, please click on the following link: National Security Vetting